Plant pickup: Thursdays 3–7pm · Also by appointment 512.348.7570
Plant pickup: Thursdays 3–7pm · Also by appointment 512.348.7570
— Plant Nursery · Texas-Grown
Original price was: $4.00.$2.00Current price is: $2.00.
Hale’s Best Jumbo Cantaloupe is a time-tested heirloom variety producing large, heavily netted fruits with exceptionally sweet, salmon-orange flesh and a classic musky fragrance. Maturing in approximately 85-90 days, it is well-adapted to Central Texas’s long, hot summers and has been a home garden favorite for over 100 years.
At Flying Rabbit Farm, our Hale’s Best Jumbo transplants are grown for strong root development and reliable fruit production suited to Austin’s summer conditions.
Out of stock
Consistent moisture essential during vine development and fruit sizing
Reduce watering 1-2 weeks before harvest to intensify sweetness
Drip or soaker hose irrigation preferred
High nitrogen at establishment; switch to lower nitrogen, higher potassium at flowering
Side-dress with compost or balanced organic fertilizer every 3-4 weeks
Limit to 2-3 fruits per vine for best size and flavor
Train vines to keep bed orderly
Place developing fruits on straw or cardboard to prevent rot
Powdery mildew
Cucumber beetles
Squash vine borers
Fusarium wilt
Blossom end rot from inconsistent watering
Plant as soon as soil temperatures allow (mid-March) for maximum season length
Use drip irrigation to reduce powdery mildew risk
Monitor for cucumber beetles, which transmit bacterial wilt
Harvest when the stem slips easily from the vine with gentle pressure
Primary planting window; establish before intense summer heat
Focus watering on vine development in first month
Fruit development stage; requires consistent irrigation
Harvest approximately 85-90 days from transplant
Not recommended for fall planting in Austin; insufficient season
Mid-March through late April after last frost
Ideal soil temperatures: 70-85 F
Full sun
Minimum 8 hours daily
3-4 feet apart in rows 5-6 feet apart
Vines spread considerably at maturity
Well-draining, fertile, sandy loam preferred
Amend clay soils with compost and coarse sand
pH 6.0-6.8
Water deeply immediately after transplanting
Maintain consistent moisture through vine development and fruit set
Cantaloupe flesh is generally considered non-toxic to:
However:
High sugar content; feed only in small quantities.
Rinds may cause gastrointestinal upset.
Original price was: $3.00.$2.00Current price is: $2.00.
Out of stock
